Is It Possible to Have Milk Teeth in Old Age?

Milk (temporary) teeth normally begin to be replaced by permanent ones at the age of 5-6 years. By about the age of 14-16 years the process is completed. By this time, the incisors, canines, premolars, first and second molars will be formed completely. The last ones to appear are third molars (“eights”). These molars appear in adults, at the age of 18-25 years, sometimes even later. In some cases, the process of eruption may be disrupted, and as a result milk teeth don’t fall out.

Order of Change: Norm and Pathology

The pathological process can be caused by different reasons. In order to deal with them, consider the normal replacement scheme. The roots of milk teeth are small. They are gradually resorbed (dissolved), become mobile. The order of eruption is as follows:

Central lower incisors, first molars on both jaws.

Central upper and lateral lower incisors.

Lateral upper incisors.

Lower fangs.

Premolars on both jaws.

The upper canines.

Second lower molars.

Second upper molars.

Third molars (wisdom teeth).

When the first molars erupt, the change does not occur, as the jaw grows and molars just grow in place. Therefore, sometimes the patient has a question how to distinguish a milk tooth from a molar that has already grown. “Baby teeth” usually differ visually. They have a smaller crown. If you have any doubts, you should consult a doctor. Only on the basis of the examination, the dentist will be able to determine whether the teeth have completely changed.

Resorption of roots is stimulated by their contact with the crown of the growing molar. If there are no rudiments, resorption may occur in contact with adjacent teeth, but sometimes this does not happen, the root is not destroyed and milk teeth don’t fall out. The change is not happening. As a result, an adult has milk teeth in the row, which are called persistent.

Note!

For a normal change, it is necessary that the rudiments of permanent teeth are formed, and they are at a depth sufficient for their crown to come into contact with the root of the milk teeth. If this does not happen, the loss is delayed or baby teeth don’t fall out. Violation of the formation of rudiments can occur both in the intrauterine period, and as a result of diseases or inflammatory processes in the oral cavity.

Dental Care

If baby teeth don’t fall out, you need the help of a specialist. The doctor does not always decide to remove the milk tooth. The presence of indications for removal is determined by the results of x-ray examination. X-rays of baby teeth allows us to estimate:

The condition of the roots.

The presence of rudiments.

The position of the rudiments (if any) and the possibility of eruption.

Based on these data, the doctor decides on further manipulation. The problem is solved in different ways, depending on the specific situation:

There are no rudiments or they are arranged in such a way that the eruption is impossible, the milk tooth in an adult has strong roots, does not stagger, looks aesthetically good. In this case, removal is not performed.

No rudiments, roots resorbed, there is a mobility of 3-4 degrees. The only solution in this case is removal with further prosthetics.

There are no rudiments, mobility is not observed, but visually the crown is different from the neighboring ones. It is recommended to adjust the appearance, for example, using veneers.

The rudiments are there, the physiological ability of the eruption is available. It is necessary to assess the location of the missing tooth in the row. For example, if the milk fang or incisor does not fall out, removal will lead to the formation of an unsightly gap.

You should not try to pull the milk teeth out yourself without examination and doctor’s recommendation. If the milk tooth did not fall out by the age of 20, there may be pathologies of the jaws. Self-treatment always leads to aggravation of the situation. In order to correct its consequences, you will have to spend a lot of time and money on a long and often expensive treatment.